Francesca Spinelli
Symbolism of name
- Francesca means, in Latin, free. I think this could apply to her journey throughout the book and how she eventually frees herself by discovering how she can affect her life how she wants to. With the book title “Saving Francesca”, it tells how she saves herself.
- She also has a lot of nick names from different people, because they see her in different ways, as she acts differently around everyone.
Speech
- Generally Francesca speaks well, with no overuse of swearing or informal language. She explains herself well when she is brave enough to speak up. However, when she is angry or upset, words seem to bubble out of her and she gets more informal and uses more swear words.
Appearance
- Francesca has very dark brown hair, and a small brown face. Coming from an Italian background, she has a smallish build and can’t seem to put on weight no matter how much she eats, however, she is tall. Francesca is in her second last year of school and she is 16. Frankie is very quiet and introverted on the outside, but with her friends she is happy to talk normally. I think Francesca grows up during this time at her new school because she is confronted by all types of issues that she didn’t have to deal with before.
Actions
- Francesca is slightly hostile to all other characters apart from her family, because she isn’t comfortable with them. She doesn’t make an effort to make friends with anyone at her new school because she feels like she isn’t welcome.
- The fact that she acts like this makes room for change and improvement, which is what happens in the book, she loosens up and makes more friends and is happier for it.
- On pages 112-114 there is a scene at school in drama class when music is put on and Francesca gets up and dances to it with Thomas Mackee and her old friend Siobhan Sullivan. Francesca is doing something for herself and it is a good turning point for her.
- On pages 127-129 Francesca comes home with Jimmy Hailler, a rebellious boy she oddly makes friends with. Jimmy comes across Mia, Frankie’s mum and treats the situation very well and normally. I think this makes Francesca realise she can trust people more.
- On pages 137-138 Frankie and her friends are together after a party and Francesca tells them that her mother has depression and won’t get out of bed. Initially she is shocked that she told them but then she discovers that she actually trusts them.
Other
- Francesca is in a difficult situation with her mother and this makes people act differently to how they normally are. She is stereotypically just another girl at a previously all boys school so obviously this is a new society she’s in, therefore she would be feeling uncomfortable and hostile like all the other girls at her new school.
- People think that Francesca has nothing to say, but she can surprise people with her wit and cynical humour. In this book she discovers herself and finds out that things aren’t always going to be the same, you have to work for what you want.
Robert Spinelli
Symbolism of name
- Robert, in Old English, means bright, or famous. I think the author picked this name because the father in this family is supposed to be supportive and constantly bright and happy, and making an effort for the rest of the family. His children call him Bob the Builder affectionately.
Speech
- Robert speaks well, with not too much slang language. He occasionally raises his voice and speaks sharply when he is frustrated or mad or because he wants to get the message across better.
Appearance
- Robert is in his 40’s and has tanned skin from working outdoors. He wears casual clothing like thongs and work clothes, because he feels no need to impress anyone.
Actions
- Robert tries to be an uncomplicated guy, but secretly he feels incredibly guilty for many things that are happening in his household. He used to have a good relationship with his daughter, but he feels himself losing her respect, and he can’t stand that. Also, he feels guilt-ridden that his wife is having a breakdown, and he thinks he could have prevented it by being there when she needed him.
- After discovering why Robert feels so guilty, Francesca helps him move along and it helps the whole family.
- Robert finds it extremely hard to cope with Mia’s breakdown but he still handles it, until the children move out and a grandmother moves in. He feels the strain of a separated family but he really wants Mia to feel better. He just wants a happy family.
